CO

I also have a D500. Its autofocus system is incredible and is rated to work down to -4EV. The D5, D500, and D850 are the first Nikons to have a processor dedicated to just the autofocus system.

CO

The Sony autofocus is still not as sensitive as the Nikon D5, D500, and D850. The autofocus on those Nikons are rated to work down to -4EV. The Sony A9 is rated to work down to -3EV. Those Nikons will have an edge in low light.

Are you sure about the speed of the autofocus? These are specs from Imaging Resource.

Sony A9

(Download)

Nikon D500

(Download)

gwilliams6

It is not the autofocus guy, it is the sensitivity of the image sensor that is measured in EV. You need to understand what you are talking about. Dont confuse the two.

I find my Sony's work focus fine in low light, especially in video. The D850 autofocus in video (low light or bright light) is really an embarrassing joke, a real deal-breaker for any hybrid shooters. Sony leads in autofocus speed and accuracy and NO Nikon or Canon DSLR has EYE-AF, another game changer. And only Sony A9 and A7III, have 93% percent frame coverage with 695 phase-detection points and 425 contrast-detection points . No DSLR even comes remotely close to this coverage. So with my Sony's I can acquire, autofocus , track and follow my subjects across the entire screen, while with Nikon and Canon DSLRs you need your subject to hit one of their much fewer focus spots nearer the center of the frame. I hope Nikon has solved the video autofocus issues in their new mirrorless Z6 and Z7 cameras, or else they will fail to get hybrid shooters to buy them. Just for information, CO when was the last time YOU shot at -4EV ?
CO hold your Sony and mirrorless bashing until Aug 23rd and then maybe you will have a Nikon camera,DSLR or mirrorless, that can give Sony some real competition. Until then you don't have one. Cheers

CO

Incorrect. It is the autofocus that is rated down to -4EV - not the sensitivity of the image sensor. Here it is.

You're saying that the Sony A9 and A7III have 93 percent frame coverage. Most Nikons have 100% frame coverage.

(Download)

Bill_de Loc: US

Sony fan boys dismiss things that Nikon does better by saying it doesn't matter. But not every feature in any camera is going to be appreciated.

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gwilliams6

Look up the focus points on any Nikon DSLR camera, they dont have 93% coverage or anywhere near the number of focus points as the Sony A9 and A7III. CO you are so wrong here, sorry. I teach this stuff at the university levels so I have to be accurate when explaining the physics of photography to my students. The focus abilities of cameras are NOT rated in EVs. EVs are a measure of light, which refers to the light sensitivity of the image sensor. Nikon incorrectly links EV to autofocus. Yes Nikon's sensor (made by Sony) can see down to -4EV and your Nikon D850 can focus there too, at the most sensitive focus spot on a DSLR, the center spot.

However, having the ability to have more complete frame coverage with more focus points across 93% of the frame is what Sony's A9 and A7III have, and NO present DSLR cameras have that, at any level. I shoot pro sports and that is a game changer over my best Nikon's and Canon's focus systems. Check the tests and reviews comparing focus systems across the entire frame.

From Nikons specs for the D850 : Maximum Autofocus Areas/Points 153. (No 93% focus point coverage of the frame)

And Sony A9 and A7III have 695 contrast-detection points plus 425 contrast detection points, with 93% focus point coverage of the frame. Nikon and Canon DSLRs aren't even close. It is easier to cover the entire frame with focus points in a mirrorless setup as focus is read directly off the image sensor, not from light reflected down from the mirror to a small focus sensor in DSLRs.

CO ,DONT CONFUSE 100 % VISUAL COVERAGE OF THE VIEWFINDER WITH FOCUS POINT COVERAGE. THEY ARE TWO VERY DIFFERENT THINGS. SONY'S EVF HAS 100% COVERAGE OF THE VIEWFINDER, AS DO MOST FULLFRAME CAMERAS

Boy you guys wear me out with your general lack of complete knowledge as you try to bash Sony. LOL

gwilliams6

Read my post above Bill_de and learn some more about focus points differences in Nikon DSLRs and Sony mirrorless cameras. If you wish to be a Sony basher, you need to come armed with facts . Cheers

Bill_de Loc: US

You must realize by now that when someone is fanatical about any brand they will become a target. We have one Nikon fanatic, and one (who sometimes is tongue in cheek) Canon fanatic. You are the first Sony fanatic and sometimes come across as a bit pompous. We know you are a professional as you have mentioned it quite a few time.

But, this is the internet so enjoy! I bet you can't go 24 hours without jumping in to defend Sony.


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gwilliams6

Hey Bill-de, I am betting that Nikon's new Z6 and Z7 fullframe mirrorless cameras will blow that D850 away with their focus point coverage and focusing abilities, especially in video autofocusing. . It is just one reason why mirrorless is the future, here now. Relax, you Nikon fanboys will be happy in just a few days, and then will be unhappy later this year when the next release from Sony blows away the Z6 and Z7. I do go on vacation to the Caribbean for two weeks in late September , oh but I do have wifi internet access at my resort, and I will be taking my laptop. That is right around Photokina time, maybe Canon's mirrorless will be announced by then. LOL Cheers

Bill_de Loc: US

I actually have Nikon, Panasonic, and Sony cameras. I am not a fanatic about any brand. If/when I go mirrorless I will evaluate what is available and what will work for me. So far I am happy with the Nikon DSLRs. I don't mind the weight (yet), have no interest in video, and pretty much shoot the same way I did with my Pentax Spotmatic. Aside from auto focus and a decent frame rate I don't use many of the WOW features.

I just laugh when we go into multiple pages of "my camera is better than your camera". It reminds me of, "My father can beat up your father".

Cheers to you too!

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gwilliams6

It is an exciting time to be a photographer. There will be gear to make us all happy, whether you keep what you already have and love, or fall in love with some new stuff. It is all good folks. I truly believe the next 12 months will see an incredible leap in the quality and performance of cameras at all experience and price levels. It has already begun and just will keep coming. Remember all these Japanese camera and lens and gear companies will want the finest and most accomplished gear out in time to shine at the upcoming Tokyo Olympics, and that means at all levels, not just pro levels. They want these Olympics visitors and participants and their families to be using their compact and APS-C gear too as they make photos and home videos of that historic event. Cheers

HOT Texas Loc: From the Heart of Texas

I actually have Nikon, Panasonic,Canon and Sony cameras to, all but my Sony's stays in the closet, The Sony's are such a Pleasure to use unlike those clunkers.

My father died when I was 6 years old, so I never could use that snort remark.

gwilliams6

My dad is gone too, so I never use that snort remark either. Cheers

tdekany Loc: Oregon

If you indeed have a Panasonic camera, than you already own a mirrorless camera.

tdekany Loc: Oregon

Wait till the Olympus fanatics come out of the woodwork - once they find out what exactly is the new flagship camera Oly is introducing early next year. So far, all I’ve seen is a claim that one will no longer need a FF camera. But please remember, I’m just the messenger. Don’t shoot me.